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Peugeot puts RCZ designer on Twitter

Like many automakers, Peugeot is now making conspicuous use of social media platforms as a component in its new car launch campaigns and in order to manage customer relations online. For its new RCZ coupe, Peugeot in the UK has been running a social media campaign under the strap line "It chooses you", with associated Twitter and Facebook accounts – which culminated with a member of the public winning an RCZ last week. For auto designers, there was little interest in the campaign up until last week, when Peugeot put RCZ designer Boris Reinmöller behind a computer terminal and opened him up to a public Q+A session through its Twitter account.

Speedy green: Italdesign-Giugiaro's Frazer-Nash Namir

Whatever uncertainties await us on the other side of oil, there will still be speed. If the Frazer-Nash Namir is any indication, there will still be a frightening amount of it. One of the stars of this year's Geneva motor show, the Namir points the way to a responsible generation's supercar--and sets out to prove the technology for its mass-production cars, too.

Seat Ibiza Ecomotive

By Ben Barry Motor Shows 12 September 2007 07:28 Seat Ibiza Ecomotive: the lowdown Even the Spanish went green at Frankfurt. Using the Polo BlueMotion’s 1.4-litre TDi engine, longer gear ratios and Dunlop tyres that generate less friction, the Ibiza Ecomotive will deliver 74.3mpg and emit just 99g/km CO2, meaning it is tax exempt and, should Ken Livingstone’s recent proposals be approved, get into London’s Congestion Charge zone for free. Performance figures are yet to be announced, but expect 77bhp, 144lb ft torque, a 0-60mph time of around 12.8sec and a top speed of 109mph – figures in line with the Polo.